Taliban dash hopes of Ridley's early release

The Taliban plans to try the British journalist, Yvonne Ridley, for entering the country illegally, the Afghan Islamic Press has revealed.

"She will be tried because she broke the laws of our land and entered our country without permission," said the Afghan agency, quoting the Taliban's deputy foreign minister, Mullah Abdur Rahman Zahid.

Ridley was arrested on Friday, along with two guides, after entering the country with no travel documents or passport.

Dashing hopes of an early release, the Taliban said yesterday they suspected her of being a member of the SAS.

Mullah Abdur Rahman Zahid was quoted as saying: "Right now, the investigation of the British journalist is under way and then her case will be sent to the courts for a trial." He said the fact Ridley is a journalist is irrelevant.

Ridley, who works for the Sunday Express, was picked up close to the eastern city of Jalalabad last Friday. She was dressed in an all-enveloping Afghan burqa.

Express Newspapers' editorial director, Paul Ashford, yesterday said he would fly to Pakistan to negotiate with the Taliban.

Ridley's mother, Joyce, has ridiculed claims that suggest her daughter is part of Britain's special forces.

"She is a well known journalist. What they're suggesting is rubbish," she said.